Former Weather Underground leader Ayers speaks at Monmouth College

Matt Hutton

Friday

Nov 21, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 21, 2008 at 8:19 PM

Former Weather Underground leader William Ayers — who was called an "unrepentant terrorist" in several campaign ads prior to the presidential election — spoke for the third time in four years at Monmouth College Thursday.

Former Weather Underground leader William Ayers — who was called an "unrepentant terrorist" in several campaign ads prior to the presidential election — spoke for the third time in four years at Monmouth College Thursday.

The event, which was purposely "kept under wraps from the public," was part of the college's Introduction to the Liberal Arts (ILA) freshman seminar, said Mark Willhardt, a Monmouth College English professor and ILA director.

Willhardt said the event, which took place in Dahl Chapel & Auditorium, could seat only 500 people. More than 400 students are in the seminar, so it was not publicized to keep it an "on campus event." The class is required for all Monmouth College freshmen and usually includes four to seven speakers per year.

The theme of this year's seminar class is "Living an Exemplary Life." Willhardt said Ayers, now an education professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago, could offer "a different take" on the theme.

He spoke primarily about the need for students to be active. Willhardt said Ayers told students to go out and act on their beliefs — and then to doubt, because that is the only way to double-check yourself.

Ayers spoke for about 15 minutes then took questions for another 45 minutes. When asked whether he had any regrets about his past actions, Willhardt said Ayers did not discuss any specific Weather Underground activities but told students he acted on his own moral beliefs and conscience at the time, then talked about the larger nature of activism.

Willhardt said there has been negative feedback about Ayers visit, at first because of his previous activities and this year because of his role in the presidential campaign.

Ayers told students he was not upset about the way he was catergorized during the campaign, though Willhardt said Ayers called the statements made about him wrong. He was more concerned about the notion of "guilt by association." Willhardt said Ayers did not think it was fair to Obama to say Ayers, or anyone else who had a similar association, would have an undue influence on the president-elect.

Ayers first spoke as part of the seminar class in 2005. Willhardt said one of the campus professors knew Ayers from time they spent together in Chicago and invited him. Willhardt said Ayers' first speech was "so good" the school has invited him back several times.

His visits have drawn substantial protests. But Willhardt described the on-campus protest this year as "understated," compared to 2005. Despite the politically charged atmosphere of the election, Willhardt said there was no discussion about canceling the appearance. Ayers had been scheduled to speak this month at the University of Nebraska, but the school canceled the event after pressure from outside forces, including the governor.

Willhardt, however, called this "exactly the right moment for him to speak." He said whatever students think of Ayers, having these conversations are crucial to a liberal arts education.